BIBB COUNTY, Alabama -- River Road through the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge will be closed for 45 days beginning in late July for a project to address erosion and flooding problems, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The single-lane road's gravel has shifted and been washed away by recent rains. The riverbank has been eroded in some areas.

The gravel will be replaced, the riverbank stabilized and sediment that has filled in the launch site for boats, kayaks and canoes will be cleaned out.

By project's end, River Road -- which will remain narrow and single-laned with room to pull over and park in some areas -- will be safer for visitors and more erosion-resistant. It will be easier to access the Cahaba River, fish and wildlife officials said.

The closure begins July 28.

Officials tried to schedule the work during a low-rain period to minimize sedimentation into the river, according to the Fish and Wildlife Service.

"We realize that many visitors use the area on a regular basis and apologize for the inconvenience, but we know these improvements will make the temporary disruption worth the wait," said Sarah Clardy, refuge manager. "We can't delay these repairs until the rains come."